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President Signs Free Trade Agreements

US - President Obama signed the Free Trade Agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia on Friday (21 October).

President Obama has signed into law the long-awaited free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia, as well as the latest trade adjustment assistance for workers, reports ABC News.

The president originally planned to sign the bills this morning in a White House ceremony, with members of both parties, but opted instead to sign them privately in the Oval Office. The three pacts were passed the previous week after years of debate and delay, marking one of the few moments of bipartisanship in recent months.

"These trade agreements will significantly boost American exports, support tens of thousands of American jobs and protect labour rights, the environment and intellectual property," the White House said in a release previewing the signing, which lasted about 15 minutes, according to the pool report.

The president was scheduled to attend a Rose Garden reception later that morning with business and labour leaders and workers who will benefit from the bills.